And speaking of steak...what foods do you miss the most?

SusanUES
SusanUES Member Posts: 125
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Steak is not a big thing for me...but I really miss fried chicken, pot roast, weiner schnitzel, BBQ...so many delicious meat and chicken dishes I used to enjoy.  Used to love rice but it just swims around in my mouth now.  Breads, pastries, cakes, cookies, danish and all those yummy desserts turn to glue in my mouth and taste bad.  Been able to eat small dishes of pasta lately...up until recently, that also was a no-fly zone. Taste is about 50/50.

Anything in particular you loved/cooked/ordered that is off the table now (or at least for now)?

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Comments

  • bebo12249
    bebo12249 Member Posts: 181 Member
    #2
    I'm 7 months post radition.

    I'm 7 months post radition. The only item that tastes as it did pre-radition is mustard. Other items are not inviting Due to taste or texture, I do partake of some foods but nothing is particularly enjoyable. Still hoping for a better result by Fall and supplementing with Boost VHC.

  • Tonita
    Tonita Member Posts: 197 Member
    #3
    Oh I missed everything.  I've

    Oh I missed everything.  I've slowly introduced more solid foods and can eat (not easily) just about everything now.

  • stevenpepe
    stevenpepe Member Posts: 234
    edited June 2016 #4
    I'm 16 treatments in so I can

    I'm 16 treatments in so I can't speak of any improvements, just disappointments. I hope I regain my love of food in the near future. Very depressing to think about.

  • Msreadalot
    Msreadalot Member Posts: 4 Member
    #5
    I miss my sandwiches. I use

    I miss my sandwiches. I use to joke about 4 different deli's I went to, I had a favorite at each.  After a year I think this is the best my saliva is going to get. I try to console myself that my blood pressure is the best it's been in years because I'm off fast food now but sometimes it's poor consolation! 

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    edited June 2016 #6
    semi-new normal everything including steak. Yum!

     

    Susan,

     

    My food taste road was rocky for the first7 months post.  While I tried everything, 95% of all food tasted and felt awful.  I did not give up, I drank smoothies and sampled away.

     

    Now, at 4+ years I have a new found, different appreciation for eating and tasting with one standout in my choice for least improved.  Clam Chowder, once a Matt favorite now a Matt want-to-be.

     

    Don’t give up, keep eating.

     

    Matt

     

  • Josephwc
    Josephwc Member Posts: 69
    #7
    I am 1 week post phase 1

    I am 1 week post phase 1 radiation to my neck and just 5 days since the end of phase 2 ( radiation focused on my tongue).  I just baked fresh bread and used it to make very tender French Toast. No sugar no salt just egg/bread and It tasted normal.  The texture was difficult but I got it down. It feels good to try solid food again. 

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #8
    I used to dream of cheese burgers deluxe....

    ...for two weeks before treatment, I ate Mexican food one night, and a cheeseburger deluxe the next.  I kept trying my burgers in the last 3 1/2 years, but it just wasn't the same....ah....but finally.... voila....at last!  I had one night before last, and it was wonderful!  I've been able to eat Mexican food since about a year out....different spices than say Italian food (which still burns). 

    Don't give up on your saliva or tastebuddies.....for some of us it takes a lot longer...I can finally truly taste food for the first time in 3 1/2 years.

    p

  • swopoe
    swopoe Member Posts: 492
    #9
    I asked my husband (4.5

    I asked my husband (4.5 months out of treatment) and this is what he told me he misses:

    Sweet things don't taste the same. Especially chocolate. So he often doesn't eat anything dessert like.

    Coffee isn't the same either, but he still drinks it.

    He can only have very mild salsa. Being in Texas, this is a challenge. Most salsas are too spicy.

    Salad can be a challenge- too many little pieces get stuck in his mouth.

    He said he can eat pretty much everything else he wants, as long as he drinks water. Pretty lucky if you ask me!

  • SusanUES
    SusanUES Member Posts: 125
    edited June 2016 #10
    You guys have given me renewed hope!!

    Matt and Phrannie, this is like music to my ears (or tongue).  Sounds like there is definitely hope down the road for improved taste...might take years, but that's okay by me.  Big thanks!!

    MsReadALot, yes, the sammies...what a loss that is.  My faves were rare roast beef with horseradish on fresh rye...mmmmm.  And an Italian sub with that lovely seeded bread drizzled with olive oil.  Kept obsessing over that today so I ordered one.  Gave half to my co-worker.  Took the other half, discarded the bread, carefully separated the provolone, Genoa salami, capicola, tomato, little bit of raw onion and ate it with a juicy orange as lubrication.  Not the most elegant solution or the perfect sub, but at least it put me back in the ballpark a little.

    Swopoe, I hear ya on the salad, haven't been able to master that either.  Nerve ending were nuked and my mouth can't get a handle on lettuce.  Maybe on day.

    Guys, let's keep on truckin'...hope for better eating and tasting days ahead!

  • yew tee
    yew tee Member Posts: 1
    #11
    Sushi anddd sashimi.....

    I love this forum....i am 5 months passed my RAD and 2 months passed my adjuvant chemo....i miss sushi and sashimi the most!

     

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #12
    Well none..... in a way.

    Just surgery so no radiation damage. Did lose all smell when they took my larynx, which does affect all food, as smell is a big part. Did have to relearn how to swallow, as all the muscles you use are connected to the larynx. So much has changed like seeing the bacon cooking in the morning, and it has no smell. Comes in handy when you burn the toast. Had to watch certain seasoning when cooking. I used crushed garlic and it looked good to me. My wife walked in the kitchen and had tears in her eyes. Asked if I used enough. When I ate it, I found out she was right. Just a little too much. It has been an adjustment to the "New" me. You do make sure your smoke alarms always have good batteries, and test them every month, when you can't smell gas or smoke.

    Bill

  • SusanUES
    SusanUES Member Posts: 125
    #13
    Sushi and smoke alarms, LOL

    Yew Tee, I love sushi and sashimi, too.  I've actually had a degree of success with the sushi...the rice is packed firm (like risotto) and it doesn't swim that much in my mouth.  I can eat a few pieces okay...then I dissect the fish from the wrapper and eat it separately.  No vinegar, soy or wasabi, though...a little pickled ginger doesn't burn too much.  Of course, only half the taste but I can settle for that.  Haven't tried sashimi yet but that will come soon.

    WMC, that was funny as hell...I can smell the garlic from here. Set your flame on fire, son!

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    edited June 2016 #14
    The New Normal

    After 3 years, I'm very fortunate. I can eat pretty much everything I ate before albeit I still "chew, chew, sip, swallow". I still can't just walk by and grab a bite of something without water nearby but all in all, things are good. Meats (steak etc.) are still difficult but if I chew well and have water, I can eat it. My taste was skewed from treatment but it has returned close to what it was before albeit a little different. I can eat spicy foods again (yay!) ... not as hot as before but I'm not complaining. I'm even able to enjoy a beer nor glass of wine now and again (except red) :) 

    For me, time was the answer.... 

    Positive thoughts and prayers

    "T"

     

     

  • Cindybear49
    Cindybear49 Member Posts: 9
    #15
    Favorite missed foods..

    I m 4 months out of radiation and I m slowly getting taste back. I miss citrus fruits and chocolate cake and spicy foods like enchiladas and suppa tuscona soup at olive garden! I just ask if it is spicy and if its not i try it. Oh and pork chops..don't give up!!!

     

  • Cindybear49
    Cindybear49 Member Posts: 9
    #16
    fishmanpa said:

    The New Normal

    After 3 years, I'm very fortunate. I can eat pretty much everything I ate before albeit I still "chew, chew, sip, swallow". I still can't just walk by and grab a bite of something without water nearby but all in all, things are good. Meats (steak etc.) are still difficult but if I chew well and have water, I can eat it. My taste was skewed from treatment but it has returned close to what it was before albeit a little different. I can eat spicy foods again (yay!) ... not as hot as before but I'm not complaining. I'm even able to enjoy a beer nor glass of wine now and again (except red) :) 

    For me, time was the answer.... 

    Positive thoughts and prayers

    "T"

     

     

    I miss a beer once and awhile.

    Or a carbonated drink!

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    edited June 2016 #17
    Cindybear49 said:

    Favorite missed foods..

    I m 4 months out of radiation and I m slowly getting taste back. I miss citrus fruits and chocolate cake and spicy foods like enchiladas and suppa tuscona soup at olive garden! I just ask if it is spicy and if its not i try it. Oh and pork chops..don't give up!!!

     

    I missed oranges SO BAD!!

    from January thru March I used to eat 2 oranges a day....and poof....no more oranges.  I tried them over and over for 2 years....then this Feb. I ate one and it was marvelous!  I was back to 2 oranges a day after the first week of eating as many as I could in a day, and not leave my lips cracked...

    p

  • Josephwc
    Josephwc Member Posts: 69
    #18
    Pancakes dip in oatmeal

    I am a little over one week out of radiation and,I have been struggling to find foods I can eat. Getting tired of plain oatmeal, bland soups, etc.... This Morning I made delicious pancakes smothered in butter instead of syrup. They were too rough to eat plain but when I dipped them into the oatmeal it was perfect. Try it!

  • SusanUES
    SusanUES Member Posts: 125
    #19
    Joseph, glad you found something to relish...

    I just had some yummy pernil with yellow cling peaches for lunch and they went down slow and easy. 

    Oh wow, oranges...one of the happiest moments in the past few months was when I could sucessfully master oranges and tomatoes, my faves.  That was a real upper.

    Here's a virtual toast with a cold beer, guys!

  • kduda64284
    kduda64284 Member Posts: 2
    #20
    sandwiches

    I amonly 4.5 months out and am living on mash pototates and yogurt, which I am getting sick of.  I do try to eat other things but they tend to get stuck and then I am full from all the water and not enough food.  I do very much miss a good hamburger and subs.  I tried to eat some toast this morning with over easy eggs but it all got stuck.  Any suggestions on things to try to eat?

  • stevenpepe
    stevenpepe Member Posts: 234
    #21
    I am really discouraged by

    I am really discouraged by those posting they still have trouble eating months after treatment ends. Is this the norm because I am already struggling to eat and I have 9 sessions to go.

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